Archeological Technician (Seasonal)

Your tasks

Archeological Technicians perform technical archeological work to identify, document, investigate, and preserve cultural resources through field surveys, excavation, artifact processing, data management, and basic research. The typical season is April - November, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April - May 2027. Open to the first 200 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first.

The Major Duties and responsibilities at the GS-05 grade level include, but are not limited to, the following: Participates in basic archeological field surveys by walking over the landscape and searching for archeological features and artifacts. Records data and prepares survey records. Conducts excavation and testing of archeological sites, including the careful recovery of sample materials. Uses tools and equipment common to archeological functions. Processes artifacts and specimens recovered in the field. Identifies, labels, and packages artifacts for curation. Communicates information and maintains working relationships. In addition, at the GS-06 levels: Writes or edits documents. Enters, retrieves, and compiles data. Maintains archeological information databases. Produces documents and reports using software applications. Queries data when writing reports. In addition, at the GS-07 grade level: Conducts work independently. Oversees others, providing direction and guidance on work activities. Communicates supervisor's direction to field crews.

Requirements

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: (1) participating in cultural resource inventories; (2) preparing archeological reports and/or record findings; and (3) using a computer to enter, retrieve, and/or manipulate data. -OR- B. A 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) related to the position such as Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Museum Studies, or other related fields. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. NOTE: only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. For example, 6 months of the specialized experience described in A above (50% of the experience requirement) and 1 academic year of study beyond the second year from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education), equals 100% of the total requirement. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) participating in cultural resource clearances and/or inventories, (2) providing information on sites; (3) preparing reports, maps, and/or photographs on inventories; and (4) assembling data in a logical sequence for review by a professional cultural resource staff member. -OR- B. You must possess a half-year of graduate-level study (9 semester hours or equivalent) that directly applies to the work of the position in a field such as Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Museum Studies, or other related fields. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: (1) conducting cultural resource inventories documenting research results; (2) monitoring cultural resources to report current and potential adverse impacts; (3) compiling data on inventories and incorporating findings into reports for review by a professional cultural resource staff member; and (4) assisting lower-graded employees or volunteers on projects or tasks. -OR- B. Possess one full year of graduate-level study (18 semester hours or equivalent) that directly applies to the work of the position in a field such as Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Museum Studies, or other related fields. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. Note: only education in excess of what is required at the GS-06 level will be used to substitute specialized experience at the GS-07 level. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.